Method and apparatus for producing motion pictures in color



Dec. 13, 1949 .THOMAS 2,491,018

METHOD D ARATUS PRODUCING M 0 PICTURES COLOR Filed July 14, 1947 6Sheets-Sheet 1 Zhwentor E/C/MED 7904145.

Dec. 13, 1949 R. THOMAS 2,491,013

' METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING MOTION PICTURES IN COLOR Filed July14, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Q ,g\. n

r attorney Dec. 13, 1949 R THQMAS 2,491,018

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING MOTION PICTURES IN COLOR Filed July14, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Snvcntor "7041/75.

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Gttomeg Dec. 13, 1949 THOMAS METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING IOTIONPICTURES IN COLOR Filed July 14, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Dec. 13,1949 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING MOTION PICTURES IN COLOR RichardThomas, Westwood Village, Calif.

Application July 14,1947, Serial No. 760,799

7 Claims.

My invention relates to the production of colored motion picture filmswherein each frame constitutes a single colored transparency so that acolored motion picture film is obtained upon a screen by running thefilm through a projector of the common type employed for the projectionof the so-called black and white motion pictures.

It is an object of the invention to provide a method and apparatus forproducing in quantity colored positive motion picture film of themultiple emulsion type chemically processed after expos ire to thecolored lights comprising the image to produce a colored transparencyfrom which to project a colored motion picture onto a screen by use of aprojector having a source of white light. Multiple emulsion films arenow obtainable which, when photographed in a camera from an objectsuitably lighted, will, when processed, provide a transparent coloredpicture in some instances having reasonable fidelity to natural colorvalues, and in other instances beingpoorly balanced as to the strengthsof the colors of which the picture is composed. My present inventionprovides for the reproduction of positive colored motion picture filmfrom an original colored film obtained in a camera and for the revisionor balancing of the color value so that the reproductions will have goodcolor composition, regardless of the fidelity of the original. Accordingto the present invention, color value separations are made from theconsecutive frames of the original color film, these color valueseparations being formed in side by side relation on consecutivesections or frames of a color separation film by use Of a lightdirecting means, forming part of the invention, which divides the lightimage from each frame of the original colored film into a plurality ofimages which are passed through color filters so as to produce colorvalue separations of the original colored image. This light directingmeans, or another of similar character, is subsequently employed tooptically print the color value images of the color separation film insuperimposed relation on a sensitized multiple emulsion film which issubsequently processed so as to produce a film carrying a well colorbalanced reproduction of the original from which the color value imagesof the color separation film were originally obtained.

arations on the consecutive frames of a sensitized siilngle emulsion orblack and white motion picture It is an object of the invention toprovide color control means for adjusting the relative values orstrengths of the colors entering into the color composition of thepositive pictures or picture produced or reproduced by use of theinvention.

A further object of the invention is to provide for the production ofcolored motion picture film images which are free from the effects ofparallax as the result of the employment of the light directing means,forming a part of the present invention, which combines color valueimages received along separate optical axes, so that they will passalong a single optical axis to the focal plane of the triple emulsionwhich is to receive the colored picture.

It is an object of the invention to provide for the accurateregistration of the colored images comprising the finished multipleemulsion positive film. In the present invention, the color separationimages are formed in side by side relation on a single piece of film, sothat the effects of shrinkage act equally through all of the imageareas, due to the fact that all of the image areas are simultaneouslysubjected to the same processing comprising the processing undergone bythe emulsions of the negative and positive films after their exposure tolight, such processing being ordinarily referred to as development, butconsisting of development of the images, washing, fixing, etc. It is afeature of the present invention that the color value images are groupedaround a common center, and that the shrinkage of the negative andpositive films is toward this common center, in addition to being equalthroughout the areas, thereby making it possible to compensate forshrinkage of the areas and also to register the areas accurately in theoptical printing of multiple emulsion films from the color value imagesof the positive color separation films made in accordance with myinvention.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be brought out inthe following part of the specification, wherein detailed explanation ofa preferred embodiment is given for the purpose of making a completedisclosure without limiting the scope thereof set forth in the appendedclaims. I

Referring to the drawings which are for illustrative purposes only,

Fig. 1 is a side view of an apparatus forming part of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view corresponding to Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken as indicated bythe line 3-3 of Fig. 2; the light directing means of the device beingschematically shown therein.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken as indicated bythe line 4-4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a further enlarged fragmentary viewtaken as indicated by the line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken as indicated by the line6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken as indicated by the line'I-'I of Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing the light paths alongwhich the photographic images are carried between the color separationfilm and the triple emulsion film employed in the disclosed embodimentof the invention.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view of the light box of the colorseparation film advancing mechanism, taken as indicated by the line 9-9of Fig. 3.

Fig. 10 is a view, to enlarged scale, of the leftward end of the lightdirecting means.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken as indicated by the line I I-I I ofFig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken as indicated by the line I2I2 of Fig.10.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view taken as indicated by the lineIii-I3 of Fig. 10, for showing details of adjusting means.

Fig. 14 is a view of the rightward end of the light directing means I4.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the apparatus forming part of the presentinvention comprises an elongated table II) supported at a convenientheight by a pedestal I I, this table I9 having horizontal guide means I2supporting a composite film handling mechanism I3 and a light directingmeans I4 in adjustable relation to a color separation film advancingmechanism I5. The light directing means I4 is shown schematically inFigs. 3 and 8, and is later herein described in detail with relation toFigs. 10 to 14 inclusive. The film handling mechanism I3 has holders I5and I1 thereon for standard millimeter motion picture film reels. Itwill be understood that in the practice of my invention the filmhandling mechanism I3 may be made to accommodate film of any size, forexample, the commercial sizes, 16 millimeter and 8 millimeter. For thisfilm handling mechanism, I have employed a standard camera constructionhaving therein, as shown in Fig. 3, a film advancing mechanism I8,further details of which are not shown for the reason that satisfactoryfilm advancing mechanisms for this purpose are well known in the art.The film advancing mechanism I8 is adapted to move a film I9 so thatconsecutive frames thereof will be brought into position before anaperture 20. The film I9 is referred to as the composite film or coloredtransparency for the reason that it carries a complete or compositeimage composed of the different colors contained in the original coloredobject, scene or dramatic action which has been photographed or is toreceive a colored composite image.

The color separation film advancing mechanism I5 is so called for thereason that it handles 01' advances a color separation film 2i which istaken from a reel 22 and wound upon a reel 23. The color separation film2I, as shown in Fig. 1, passes from the reel 22 over a guide pulley 28and through a film cleaner 25 to an aperture 25, Fig. 3, leading intothe casing 21 of the film advancing mechanism I5, 'there being guiderollers 28 disposed'at the entrance to the aperture The film 2i is heldin engagement with a continuously moving sprocket 29 and thence througha film loop 30 to an idler sprocket M from which the film M is thencarried up through a film guide 32 to an intermittent sprocket 99mounted on a shaft 34 so as to be driven by a Geneva intermittentmechanism 95 shown in Fig. 4. From the intermittent sprocket 33, thefilm 2I then passes through a film loop 36, Fig. 3, to a constantlydriven sprocket 3?, from which sprocket 31 the film 2| then passesthrough an outlet aperture 39 and between guide spools 39 to thetake-off reel 23. Wherever necessary, light guards may be employed forprotecting unexposed and undeveloped film from light. Accordingly, inFig. 1 I have shown guards 22' and 23 for protecting the film 2i duringthe time it is outside the film advancing mechanism I5, these guards 22'and 23' enclosing the spools 22 and 29 and the portions of the film 2Ishown extending therefrom.

As shown in Fig. 4, the Geneva mechanism includes a Geneva wheel 49having radial slots 9| arranged to be consecutively engaged by acylindric driver 42 carried by a continuously rotating disc 43. The disc93 carries a circular segment 44 arranged to engage the arcuatedepressions 45 in the Geneva wheel 49 between the radial slots 4|. Thedisc 53 is mounted on a shaft 46 and carries a bevel gear il so that itmay be driven by a bevel gear 68 mounted on a continuously rotatingshaft 49 which is driven by a worm wheel 59 engaged by a worm 5! mountedon the shaft 52 of a motor 53, Fig. 2. As shown in Figs. 2 and the shaft99 is con-' nected through a universal or flexible coupling 56 with ashaft which is axially slidable in a hollow shaft 53, connected by aflexible coupling 51 with the shaft 58 which drives the film advancingmechanism I9 of the composite film advancing mechanism I3, Fig. 3. Theshaft 55 is splined in the hollow shaft 59 to provide for axialextension of the drive connection between the mechanisms I5 and I3 asthe film mechanism I3 is moved along the guides I2 for image focusingpurposes as will be hereinafter explained. Through the drive connection,between the mechanisms I5 and I3, just described, synchronized advancingmovement of the films I9 and El is obtained.

As shown in Figs. 5, 6, and '7, the film guide 32 for the colorseparation film 2| comprises a plate 59 disposed across the inner end ofthe opening 60 in the front wall SI of the casing 21. A movable plate 62cooperates with the plate 59 to form a vertical path for the film 2|.This movable plate 62 has pins 63 extending therefrom and passingthrough openings 55 in stationary brackets 65. Compression springs 66,disposed between the brackets 65 and the movable plate I, urge the plate62 toward the plate 59. The plates 59 and 8! have aligned windows 81specifically identified as 61a, 61b, and Bio, exposing a plurality ofrectangular areas of the sect on or frame of the film 2i disposedcentrally of the guide 82. In the present form of the invention, threewindows 61 are employed to correspond to the three color value images 68formed on each section or frame of the film II, as shown in Fig. 8,these color separation images bein respectively identified as 68a, 68b,and 680, the images Ola, 60b being in horizontal side by side relationand the image 680 being disposed adjacent the lower sides of the images68a and b in centralized position. That is to say, the center of theimage 68c is below the vertical space which separates the images "a andb.

In the back wall 69 of the casing 21, Fig. 3, which houses the mechanismof the color separation film advancing means ii, there are windows iii,specifically identified as 10a, 10b and 100, corresponding to thewindows 61a, 61b and 610 of the plates 59 and 62. The wall 69 also hastherein a slot ii, Figs. 3 and 4, in which a shutter I2, mounted on theshaft 49, is operative, this shutter 1!, schematically indicated in Fig.8, rotating in timed relation to a. shutter 13 which moves through aslot 14, Fig. 3, in crossing relation to the aperture 20 of the filmadvancing mechanism II, this synchronous operation of the shutters 12and 13 being accomplished by the fixing of the same respectively on theshafts 49 and 58 which rotate in unison.

The purpose of the windows 10 in the rear wall 69 of the housing 21 isfor the admission of beams of light from a light box 15, Figs. 1, 3 and9, mounted on a rear wall 69 of the housing 21. The light box 15 hassections 16a, 16b and 160 arranged respectively so that they willcommunicate with the windows 10a, iilb and H10, these sections havingtherein lamps 1'! respectively indicated as Ila, Tib and Ho behind whichrefiectors 18 are placed. From the lamp i'ia, light passes through acondenser lens 19a and is refiected by a diagonal mirror 80a toward thewindow 10a. This reflected light passes through a condenser lens 8lawhich is placed across the window 10a and thence through the window Iliaand a tubular light duct 82a to the window 61a of the plate 62. Lightfrom the lamp i'ib passes through a condenser 1% and is reflectedforwardly by a diagonal mirror or reflector 80b toward the window 1012.This reflected light then passes through a condenser Bib which isdisposed across the window 10b, through the window 101),

and then through a. tubular light duct 82b to the window 61b of theplate 62. Likewise, light from the lamp Tic passes through a condenser19c,

and is reflected forwardly by a mirror 80c toward the window 100. Thislight then passes through a condenser Bic disposed across the window 10cand then through the window 100 and a tubular light duct 820 to thewindow 610 of the frame 82.

As shown in Fig. 9, the lamps Ho, Ho and Tie are connected respectivelyto a source of electric current, shown as a battery 83, throughresistors "a, Nb and Me, adjustment of which resistors makes possibleregulation of the intensities of the separate beams of light from thelamps 11a, 11b and Tie, which may be passed forwardly through thewindows 61a, 61b, and 610 and the respective color value images 68a,68b, and 580 of the color separation film ii. The purpose of thisadjustability of the lamps Ha, 11b and Tie is to vary the strengths ofcolor of the color value images more of the film II which aresuperimposed, in one practice of the invention, on the single frame Fig.8, of the film 19 at the instant coinciding with the aperture 2| of thefilm advancing mechanism II.

A". shown in Fig. 1, the housing of the film mechanism II has thereon alamp housing ll having therein a lamp l'l aligned with the aperture 20and being adapted to pass a beam of white light through condenser lenses88 and thence leftwardly through the frame 85 of a film i9 disposedacross the aperture 20 of the film advancing mechanism ii. The light box15 and the lamp housing 8 are respectively provided with blowers 88 andll for circulation of cooling air therethrough.

As shown schematically in Figs. 3 and 8, the light directing means llcomprises a casing 9! having in its end wall facing the film advancingmechanism i5, objective lenses 92, respectively indicated as 92a, 92b,and 920 and mirrors 9! and 98 are made from optical fiats or pelliclemirrors, having a thickness of approximately two thousandths of an inch,so that the light passing diagonally therethrough will be offset aninfinitesmal amount and therefore will not affect the practicalregistration of the images passing in superimposed relation along theaxis 99. For focusing the images on the conjugate focal planesestablished by the films i9 and 2i, the film handling mechanism i3 andthe light directing means i4 are movable along the guides I! of thetable iii. For this relative focusing movement of the members l3 and H,a shaft i ii] is provided, this shaft extending parallel to the guidei2, and being rotatable in a block iii. On the leftward end of the shaftIIII there is a thread ll! of relatively fine pitch which engages thebase H3 of the light directing means i4, and on the rightward end of theshaft Hi) there is a screw thread i ll of coarser pitch which engagesthe base of the film advancing mechanism i3, and imparts to the filmadvancing mechanism ii a higher rate of movement than that which isimparted by the screw thread I! to the focusing device when the shaft 0is rotated.

A further feature of the light directing means i4 is the provision ofmeans to compensate for the difference in the length of the light pathfrom the image 680, Fig. 8, to the frame 85' and the length of the lightpaths from the images 68a and 88b to the frame 85'. It will be notedthat the transverse axis I0! is of greater length than the transverseaxis I00 and the transverse axis iili. To compensate for this, I makeprovision for the insertion of a thin optical fiat between the lenselements, H6 and i ii, of the objective lens 920, Figs. 3, l1 and 12.Slots H8 are provided in the opposite side walls of the casing i iii ofthe lense Mo to receive a slide H9 having therein a plurality of thingraduated optical flats ii9a so arranged that they may be brought intotransverse relation to the optical axis 85 of the objective lens 92csubstantially on the nodal point thereof. By placing an optical fiat Soof proper thickness across the optical axis 86, in accordance with theconjugate focal distances between the objective lenses 92 and the focalplanes established by the films i9 and 2i or the film 2| and the screenI29, effective compensation of the light path consisting of the axes 86,I02 and 99, may be accomplished as required.

The groups of three frames 68 on the color separation film 2i aresupported by a single emulsion supported on a single transparentCelluloid base.

As the result of this, shrinkage due to processing of the film carryingthe complementary images 68 is substantially equalized throughout theentire film area so that when this shrinkage occurs, not only are theframes 58 substantially equally reduced in area, but they are movedradially inwardly toward a common point. Also, this film shrinkageaccumulates in the positive color separation film. In the presentpractice of the invention, negative color value images are firstphotographed in the frames 88 of a color value negative. Shrinkageoccurs in the processing of this color value negative film. It is thenprinted onto a positive color value sensitized film which is processedand shrinks as a result of the processing. For this reason it is statedthat the shrinkage occurring in both the negative color separation filmand the positive color separation film accumulates in the positive colorseparation film. An important feature of the invention resides in theprovision of means to compensate for this shrinkage, such meansembracing adjustability of the light d r tt means so as to move theseparate optical axes 84, 85, and 88 inwardly or outwardly, as may berequired, so that these axes 84, 85 and 86 will respectively impinge thecenters of the frames 88a, 68b, and 880. The details of this mechanismare shown in Figs. to 14 inclusive, to which the following descriptionapplies.

The housing 9| has in its leftward end wall I rectangular openings |3|specifically identified as openings I3Ia, I3"), and |3Ic forming guidesto receive the front walls I32 of carriages I33, specifically identifiedas carriages I33a, I33! and I330, each of these carriages I33 having alongitudinal wall I34 extending rightwardly in parallel relation to thesingle optical axis 99 and having on the rightward ends thereof wallsI35 which are slidable in guides I38, specifically identified by thenumerals I38a, I38b, and I38c, in the rightward end wall I31 of thehousing 9|. The walls I32 of the carriages I33 have thereon projectionsI31 arranged to engage a cam I38 supported in the wall I30 of thehousing 9|, and the walls I35 at the rightward ends of the carriages I33have projections I39 arranged to engage a cam I40 supported forlongitudinal movement in the rightward end wall I31 of the housing 9|.Springs I are disposed at the outer ends of the walls I32 andsprings I42are disposed at the outer ends of the walls I35, these springs urgingthe carriages I33 inward, so as to hold the projections I31 inengagement with the cam I38 and hold the projections I39 in engagementwith the cam I40.

The cams 38 and I40 are linked together for simultaneous longitudinalmovement, so that these cams will act to produce simultaneous in or outmovement of the opposite ends of the carriages I33. For thissimultaneous movement of the cams I38 and I40, as shown in Figs. 11 and13, arms I45 are extended laterally from the cams I38 and I40 to engagethe shank of a screw I48,

and the cams I38 and I40 in rightward direction,

the cams then moving the carriages I 33 outward against the yieldingforce of the springs HI and I42. When the knob is rotated incounterclockwise direction, the cams I38 and I40 will be moved leftward,permitting the springs I and I42 to move the carriages I33 inwardly.

The mirrors 98, 91 and 98 are mounted by sta-v tionary brackets I5l, I52and I53 below the top horizontal wall I54 of the housing 9|, as shown inFig. 11. Also as shown in Fig. 11, the mirror I05 is supported on thecarriage I330 by means of a bracket I55 and the lens 92c is supported inthe front wall I32 of the carriage I330 so as to establish the axis 88.Accordingly, inward movement of the carriage I330 results in inwardmovement of the axis 88. As shown in Fig. 12, brackets I51 and I58respectively support the mirrors I04 and I03 on the carriages |33a andI33b, and the lenses 92a and 9222 are respectively supported in thefront end walls I32 of the carriages |33a and I33b so as to defineseparate axes 84 and 85 which are moved inward and outward when thecarriages |33a and I33b are given like movement by the cams I38 and I40.It is possible, by use of the adjustment described in the foregoing, tomove the axes 84, 85 and 88 inward so that they will correspond to thespacing of the frames 68 in any color separation film 2| instantly inthe film handling mechanism I5. For example, after a color separationpositive film is obtained, the axes 84 and 05 and 85 may be adjusted soas to compensate for shrinkage therein.

Mymethod of reproducing a positive colored motion picture film isperformed as follows. The positive transparency which may be a motionpicture film of triple emulsion type is run through the film handlingmechanism I3, while at the same time an undeveloped sensitized negativefilm is advanced through the film handling mechanism I5. Referring toFig. 8, the positive motion picture colored transparency may berepresented by the film I9 and the undeveloped sensitized film may berepresented by the film 2|. After proper focusing, the lamp 81, Fig. l,is electrically energized so that the beam of light will pass leftwardthrough each consecutive frame 85 of the positive transparency,projecting the colored image of each frame leftward along a singleoptical axis. This beam of light or colored image will be divided into aplurality of divisional images by the light directing means |4 intothree separate beams carrying the original image which will be focusedby the objective lenses 92a, 92b and 920 and projected along the axes94, 95 and 96 onto the consecutive sections or frames of the film 2|, tophotograph onto the sensitized emulsion thereof the color value images88a, 68b and 880. Owing to the fact that these images are passedrespectively through the filters I, I2 and f3, disposed on the leftwardend of the objective lenses 92a, 92b, and 920, the images 88a, 88b, and680 will represent only the respective colors of the original image ofthe motion picture transparency, as determined by the filters I, I2 andf3 employed. The next step in the process is to prepare from the exposednegative 2| a color separation positive film. This is done by developingthe negative and then printing a positive film therefrom which willcontain complementary positive color value images corresponding to thecolored pictures of the original transparency. The next step in theprocess is to project the color value images of the positive colorseparation film thus obtained upon a screen in colored light and adjustthe relative strengths of the lights passed through each of the colorvalue images so as to obtain the desired color balance. This 16 isaccomplished by removing the film advancing during subsequentoperations.

mechanism II from the table l0, placing the color separation positivefilm in the film advancing mechanism I5, and then energizing the lampsIla, 11b, and "c of the light box I5 so as to pass beams of lightrightwardly through the color value images of the positive colorseparation film now in the film advancing mechanism I5. The lightdirecting means I4 will be then adjusted along the guides l2 of thetable Ill so as to focus the composite colored image from the positivecolor separation film onto a screen I20, Fig. 1, disposed beyond therightward end of the table II, and the knob I is operated to move theseparate optical axes 84, II and 86 inwardly so as to impinge thecenters of the frames 88a, 65b, and "c and thereby bring the colorimages on the screen I20 into superimposed or registered relation. Owingto the increase in the conjugate focal distances between the objectimages of the film in the device l5, the light directing means and thescreen I20, a relatively large colored image is formed. While observingthis large colored image on the screen I20, the operator may adjust theresistances a, b, and c as required to give a suitable color compositionin the colored image appearing on the screen I20. When thisadjustment-of the relative strengths of the light beams has beenaccomplished, the operator notes the relative light values on thecalibrated dials of the resistances 84a, 84b, and c as a guide to lightstrengths to be employed The screen I20 may be placed at a greaterdistance from the film handling mechanism I5 than that shown in Fig. 1,if it is desired to obtain a larger colored motion picture image on ascreen during the adjustment of relative light values.

The film handling mechanism I3 will be now replaced upon the table I andthe light directing means I4 and the film handling mechanism I! will beboth adjusted with relation to the film handling mechanism I5 so thatthe color value images of the positive color value separation film maybe projected in superimposed relation onto a sensitized undevelopedtriple emulsion motion picture film in the film handling mechanism I3.With the lamps 11a, 11b, and Ilc adjusted to proper intensity, thepositive color value separation film and the undeveloped sensitizedtriple emulsion film may be simultaneously advanced through themechanisms I 3 and I5, thereby lightexposing the respective emulsions ofthe film in the film advancing mechanism I3 to the respective imageswhich they are to receive from the positive film simultaneously advancedthrough the film advancing mechanism I5. Now, any desired number ofreproductions of the original colored motion picture film may beobtained by running the required number of undeveloped sensitized tripleemulsion color films through the film advancing mechanism in synchronywith the advancing of the master or positive color separation filmthrough the mechanism I5. Colored motion picture reproductions of othersizes may be obtained by merely substituting for the film advancingmechanism, other film advancing mechanisms of proper size to handle thefilms from which the colored reproductions are to be made. The filmhandling mechanism I3 is of a size to handle the standard theatre motionpicture film, and the film 2| employed in the color separation filmadvancing mechanism I5 is of 65 millimeter size so that the color valueimages 88a, 68b and 680 may be of increased size so as to obtainexceptionally good color image definition.

Regardless of whether the master or positive color separation filmemployed in the-mechanism I5 is obtained from a colored transparency inthe mechanism I 3 or from a color separation negative film photographedin a camera, the invention enables the balancing of color values throughadjustment of the lamps Ila, 11b and "c as hereinbefore described.

I claim as my invention:

1. A method of making colored motion picture films, comprising:preparing an original colored motion picture film comprising consecutiveframes containing colored images; projecting the colored images along asingle optical axis; dividing the light of said images so as to producea plurality of divisional images and projecting the divisional imagesthus obtained along separate axes to side by side color separation areason a negative color separation film; filtering said divisional images soas to produce color separation images in said color separation areas;preparing a positive color separation film from said negative film, saidpositive color separation film having positive color separation images;projecting said positive color separation images in colored lights inreverse direction along separate axes and combining them into acomposite colored image which is projected along a single optical axisonto a screen in superimposed relation so as to form a colored image;observing the relative values of the colors comprising said images andadjusting the intensity of at least one of the colored lights so as toproduce a desired color composition in the colored image on the screen;then projecting said colored images along said separate axes and saidsingle optical axis onto the frames of a multiple emulsion motionpicture film; and processing said multiple emulsion film to formcomplementary colored images in the respective emulsions thereof.

2. A method of making colored motion picture films, comprising:preparing an original colored motion picture film comprising consecutiveframes containing colored images by exposing in a camera a sensitizedemulsion motion picture film and processing the same; projecting thecolored images along a single optical axis; dividing the light of saidimages so as to produce a plurality of divisional images and projectingthe divisional images thus obtained along separate axes to side by sidecolor separation areas on a negative color separation film; filteringsaid divisional images so as to produce color separation images in saidcolor separation areas; preparing a positive color separation film fromsaid negative film, said positive color separation film having positivecolor separation images; projecting said positive color separationimages in colored "lights in reverse direction along separate axes andcombining them into a composite colored image which is projected along asingle optical axis onto a screen in superimposed relation so as to forma colored image; observing the relative values of the colors comprisingsaid images and adjusting the intensity of at least one of the coloredlights so as to produce a desired color composition in the colored imageon the screen; then projecting said colored images along said separateaxes and said single optical axis onto the frames of a multiple emulsionmotion picture film; and processing said multiple emulsion film to formcomplementary colored images in the respective emulsions thereof.

3. A method of making colored motion picture films, comprising:preparing an original colored motion picture film comprising consecutiveframes containing colored images; projecting the colored motion picturefilm separation film from said negative film, said positive colorseparation film having positive color separation images; adjustlng'saidseparate axes relatively inwardly toward a common point to compensatefor the effects of shrinkage accumulating in said positive film;projecting said positive color separation images in colored lights inreverse direction along said separate axes and combining them into acomposite colored image which is projected along said single opticalaxisonto a screen in superimposed relation so as to form a colored image;observing the relative values of the colors comprising said images andadjusting the intensity of at least one of the colored lights so as toproduce a desired color composition in the colored image on the screen;then projecting said colored images along said separate axes and saidsingle optical axis onto the frames of a multiple emulsion motionpicture film; and processing said multiple emulsion film to formcomplementary colored images in the respective emulsions thereof.

4. A method of making colored motion picture films, comprising:preparing an original colored motion picture film comprising consecutiveframes containing colored images; projecting the colored images along asingle optical axis; dividing the light of said images so as to producea plurality of divisional images and projecting the divisional imagesthus obtained along separate axes to side by side color separation areasof a focal plane; filtering said divisional images so as to producecolor separation images in said color separation areas; utilizing theimages formed in said areas to produce a color separation motion picturfilm having color separation images in side by side relation; projectingsaid color separation images in color corrective colored lights inreverse direction along separate axes and combining them into acomposite color corrected colored image which is projected along asingle optical axis onto a r multiple emulsion motion picture film; andprocessing said multiple emulsion film to form complementary coloredimages in the respective emulsions thereof.

5. A method of making colored motion picture films, comprising:preparing an original colored comprising consecutive frames containingcolored images; projecting the colored images along a single opticalaxis; dividing the light of said images so as to produce a plurality ofdivisional images and projecting the divisional images thus obtainedalong separate axes to Side by side color separation areas of a focalplane; filtering said divisional images so as to produce colorseparation images in said color separation areas; utilizing the imagesformed in said areas to produce a color separation motion picture filmhaving color separation images in side by side relation; adjusting saidseparate axes relatively inwardly toward a common point to compensatefor the effects of shrinkage accumulating in the color separation motionpicture film; projecting said color separation images in colored lightsin reverse direction along said separate axes and combining them into acomposite colored image which is projected along said single opticalaxis onto a screen in superimposed relation so as to form a coloredimage; observing the relative values of the colors comprising saidimages and adjusting the intensity of at least one of the colored lightsso as to produce a desired color composition in the colored image on thescreen; then projecting said colored images along said separate axes andsaid single optical axis onto the frame of a multiple emulsion motionpicture film; and processing said multiple emulsion film to formcomplementary colored images in the respective emulsions thereof.

6. A method of making colored motion picture films, comprising:preparing an original colored motion picture film comprising consecutiveframes containing colored images; projecting the colored images along asingle optical axis; dividing the light of said images so as to producea plurality of divisional images and projecting the divisional imagesthus obtained along separate axes to side by side color separation areas'on a negative color separation film; filtering said divisional imagesso as to produce color separation images in said color separation areas;preparing a positive color separation film from said negative film, saidpositive color separation film having positive color separation images;projecting said positive color separation images in colored lights inreverse direction along separate axes and combining them into acomposite colored image which is projected along a single optical axisonto a screen in superimposed relation so as to form a colored image;observing the relative values of the colors comprising said images aridrelatively varying the source intensities of the colored lights so as toproduce a desired color composition in the colored image on the screen;then projecting said colored images along said separate axes and saidsingle optical axis onto the frames of a multiple emulsion motionpicture film; and processing said multiple emulsion film to formcomplementary colored images in the respective emulsions thereof.

'7. A method of making colored motion picture films, comprising:preparing an original colored motion picture film comprising consecutiveframes containing colored images; projecting the colored images along asingle optical axis; dividing the light of said images so as to producea plurality of divisional images and projecting the divisional imagesthus obtained along separate axes to side by side color separation areason a negative color separation film; filtering said divisional images soas to produce color separation images in said color separation areas;preparing a positive color separation film from said negative film, saidpositive color separation film having positive color separation images;projecting said positive color separation images in colored lights inreverse direction along separate axes and combining them into acomposite colored image which is projected along a single optical axisonto a screen in superimposed relation so as to form a colored image;observing the relative values of the colors comprising said images andrelatively varying the source intensities of the colored lights so as toproduce a desired color composition in the colored image on the screen;then projecting said colored images, while maintaining the adjustedintensities of said lights, along said separate axes and said singleoptical axis onto the frames of a multiple emulsion motion picture film;and processing said multiple emulsion film to form complementarycorrected colored images in the respective emulsions Number Rune Datethereof. 1,589,115 Brewster Apr. 13, 1926 RICHARD THOMAS. 1,637,917Richter Aug. 2, 1927 1,880,596 Tuttle Oct. 4, 1932 REFERENCES CITED 51,933,787 Capstat! Nov. 7, 1933 The following references are of recordin the 21140-024 Mam 1938 me of this patent, 2,144,457 Horst Jan. 17,1939 2,402,660 OGrady June 25, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGNPATENTS Number Name Date 10 435,271 Abbe et a1. Aug. 26, 1890 Number nry Date 1,161,910 Ulysse Nov, 30, 1915 1 0.964 G eat Britain Nov. 15,1917 1,317,825 Saunders Oct. 7, 1919 2 2. Great i n une 9. 79271,361,012 Capstafl Dec, 7, 1920 7 6,67! France Jan. 27, 1936 Certificateof Correction Patent N 0. 2,491,018 December 13, 1949 RICHARD THOMAS Itis hereby certified that errors appear in the printed specification ofthe above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Column 6, line 70, for screen 129 read screen 120; column 14, line 13,list of references cited, for June 9, 7927 read June .9, 1927;

and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these correctionstherein that the same may conform to the record of the case in thePatent Ofiice.

Signed and sealed this 18th day of April, A. D. 1950.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Commissioner of Patents.

